Approximately 17,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention each year. Lyme disease is characterized by a distinctive rash, flu-like symptoms, and aching joints. Lyme disease can affect people of all ages in many different states. Typically it is carried by deer ticks that live in the low bushes and tall grasses of wooded areas and are most abundant in the spring, summer, and fall.

To contract Lyme disease, you have to be bitten by an infected tick. Although the percentage of people who are bitten by a deer tick and actually get Lyme disease is small, proper precautions should still be taken in areas where ticks live. Increased awareness and prevention methods are key to helping keep the number of Lyme disease cases to a minimum.

The signs and symptoms of Lyme disease may become more severe as the disease progresses. Not every one who contracts Lyme disease will exhibit all of the symptoms. Common symptoms include:

A rash: A rash may appear with a small, white, hard lump at its center. The rash shows up at the site of the bite, often times in the hairy parts of the body, possibility the head, in the groin, underarm, waist, or navel area.

Flu-like symptoms: Within 30 days of being infected, you might develop a fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, and a headache.

Joint pain: Sharp pains might appear for a few days in any joint, then disappear and reappear in another joint.

Memory loss, difficulty concentrating and changes in mood, intolerance to light, infected lymph nodes, or change in sleep habits: These can be symptoms of later-stage Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria carried by a family of ticks. Deer ticks are one of the most well-known members of this tick family, which can sometimes be no bigger than the head of a pin. To contract Lyme disease, you have to be bitten by an infected tick.

If you're bitten and the infected tick stays attached to your skin for an extended period of time, bacteria can travel from the tick's gut to your bloodstream. Soon the bacteria migrate to parts of the body where symptoms later may occur.

Where you live or vacation can increase your chances of getting Lyme disease and so can the type of outdoor activities you enjoy. The most common risk factors include:

Spending time in grassy or wooded areas in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin particularly during summer months: Deer ticks are most prevalent in these states, but are also found in other areas of the U.S., as well as in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Only a minority of tick bites lead to Lyme disease, but if you know you've been bitten and experience symptoms - particularly if you live in or have traveled to an area where Lyme disease is prevalent - you should see your physician immediately. Treatment for Lyme disease is most effective if begun early. Tick bites also can be the cause of other illnesses, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever. See your doctor if you have any tick bite that concerns you.

Symptoms of Lyme disease may disappear spontaneously, but that doesn't mean the disease is gone. Left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to the rest of your body within six months to two years, causing arthritis and nervous system problems.

Lyme disease can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. Its varying symptoms mimic other conditions, including viral infection, various joint disorders, muscle pain, or chronic fatigue syndrome. Remember, not all people with Lyme disease develop the same symptoms.

The blood test most often used to screen for Lyme disease is called an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). It detects antibodies to the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. A diagnostic test to confirm a positive blood test has been developed as well, the Western blot.

Antibiotics are the standard treatment for Lyme disease in its early stages. Treatment with antibiotics for several weeks usually cures the infection and prevents complications. It's important to take the full course of medications; for treatment to be most successful, do not discontinue taking these medication prematurely.

If the disease has progressed to a later stage, the brain, nerves, heart, or joints may be affected. Hospitalization may be necessary in some cases.

It is a good idea to shower immediately after leaving wooded or grassy areas, as ticks often remain on your skin for many hours before biting.

Check yourself and your pets for ticks after being in wooded or grassy areas. Deer ticks may be no larger than the head of a pin, so look carefully.

Remove a tick with tweezers by gently grasping it near its head or mouth. Do not squeeze or crush the tick, but pull carefully and steadily. Once you have the entire tick removed, apply antiseptic to the bite area.

For information on mosquitoes, contact the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department's Vector Control Section at (901) 324-5547. For St. Louis Encephalitis information, contact the Epidemiology Section at (901) 576-7717.